DirecTV begins enabling HDCP!

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Evil_Attorney

I have DirecTV and HDPVRs but no premium channels, so this does not immediately affect me. But does anyone have any guesses as to when HDCP/downrezing will be turned on for all channels? I'm guessing within the next year.

I wouldn't be so sure. I guarantee you that DirecTV didn't want to do this, but was forced to do so by the providers in order to continue offering these channels. The lesser channels (read: non-premium) aren't nearly as much of a supposed threat to their bottom line because the content they're concerned about being pirated consist of (semi-)recent movies or high-value shows.

Originally Posted by Evil_Attorney

Maybe it's time to start testing/reviewing some of these cheaper HDCP-stripping boxes that show up on Amazon?

Please do! Go for it! I'd love to hear of a fairly inexpensive, tested solution, which doesn't degrade the quality (much?).

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

@panteragstk: Since we know your HDCP is enabled, when was your last software update? Mine was on 2/16, so I'm curious if the capability has been there and it simply wasn't turned on. If yours is still at 2/16, then that would seem to confirm this.

I'll have to check. I can confirm that ALL premium channels are HDCP enabled and ALL of them are perfectly fine through component. Full resolution was seen on Starz, HBO, Cenamax, and Showtime.

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by graywolf

Haven't used this but saw in another post (comments on the article?)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

For about $94...if it would work, would be a lot cheaper than HDFury

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

Here is one that isn't a switch and a little cheaper. Quality may suffer I suppose. Haven't used one.

Also they haven't updated mine yet(HR22 DVR) I still get all of the Premiums on HDMI. He says quietly in hopes that they will forget me.

In case it isn't a fluke here are my connections on my DTV HR22-DVR if you want to try something similar:
HDMI to Colossus recording 5.1 audio and HTTP tuning
Component to Samsung TV (for easy STB changes because of software update)
SVideo+Stereo to HVR-2250 input 2
Network connection - for HTTP tuning - DHCP with mac address reservation on D-Link DGL-4100
phone line (connected when first got box and never removed)

Anyone actually try these with an HD-PVR and/or Colossus? To my surprise, there are actually quite a few of these HDCP strippers on Amazon (there was this one for $40 with rather favourable reviews -- though it doesn't do 5.1 output). Even the $80 one linked above is still quite intriguing. If these devices actually work reliably and can be plugged into an HD-PVR/Colossus then I can add a bunch more inputs to my system. My sat provider has $99 "basic" HD receivers (even cheaper used), the catch is that they only have HDMI (w/ full HDCP) and composite outputs - if I can run one of these receivers thru these $40 devices then I'd definitely add a few more inputs to my system. Receivers with component output from my provider start at $199 (and harder to come by in the used market).

[wbarber69]

i didnt get lost I just think it was funny that anyone was complaining about not being able to use hdmi anymore. Mostly because if you bought a colossus then you probably have used an hdpvr and had horrible compatability problems.

[SteveD]

So are the Non premium channels going to be downgraded also? Are the component output of the HD receivers going to be downgraded?

If so directv can Kiss my @#$ and I will say good by to them and depend on OTA, hulu, netflix, and redbox for my entertainment.

[RedR]

/start rant

It is hard to blame DirecTV on this, their hand is being forced by the content providers via contract and the providers are the ones pushing this. As I understand it, HBO and Cinemax were the first to make the switch, and this only applied to one STB flavor at the moment it started showing up (early this week?). From what I gather, the contract with DTV and the providers also include the ability to stop component and composite connections as well. The suggested idea was for PPV and VoD content. But I think it is fair to assume this practice will continue forward. My advice, call DTV, Comcast, whoever, as well the content providers and formally complain. Pass the word, asking everyone to do so.
The issue they have is people making "illegal" copies of their delivered content. I think we all know the real issue here is the copies made for resale, not DIY folks wanting to enjoy the full features of products like SageTV and the sort. Sadly it will be mom and dad, and DIYers who suffer from HDCP being forced down our throats, not the people who are making money on selling illegal copies. Thats my 2c on the issue.

/steps down from his soap box and starts writing letters to complain


RedR

[jchiso]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

Here is one that isn't a switch and a little cheaper. Quality may suffer I suppose. Haven't used one.

I have one of those, and it's terrible. Monoprice sells a model that costs slightly more, but works transparently ...

[jchiso]

Originally Posted by SteveD

... Are the component output of the HD receivers going to be downgraded? If so directv can Kiss my @#$ and I will say good by to them and depend on OTA, hulu, netflix, and redbox for my entertainment...

Originally Posted by RedR

/start rant

It is hard to blame DirecTV on this, their hand is being forced by the content providers via contract and the providers are the ones pushing this... The issue they have is people making "illegal" copies of their delivered content. I think we all know the real issue here is the copies made for resale, not DIY folks wanting to enjoy the full features of products like SageTV and the sort...

I don't have a Colossus, so I'm not affected (yet). Component out still works at 720p/1080i to my HD-PVRs, but if it did not I would cancel the Premium movie packages on my account. That would be as simple as a phone call and would immediately impact their revenue.

I don't care who they say is responsible for this. I'm not going to pay them extra for the right to watch programming on their terms; whoever that "their" is.

[SteveD]

Originally Posted by jchiso

I don't have a Colossus, so I'm not affected (yet). Component out still works at 720p/1080i to my HD-PVRs, but if it did not I would cancel the Premium movie packages on my account. That would be as simple as a phone call and would immediately impact their revenue.

I don't care who they say is responsible for this. I'm not going to pay them extra for the right to watch programming on their terms; whoever that "their" is.

I only have premium channels because of the wife, I will have no problem cancelling them. What happened to freedom? Cell companies, and cable companies need to realize they are a want and not a need, we use there services as a convience. They need us, we don't need them.

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by SteveD

What happened to freedom? Cell companies, and cable companies need to realize they are a want and not a need, we use there services as a convience. They need us, we don't need them.

That only works when a majority of their customers feel that way. Vocal minorities tend to get ignored by large corporate entities...

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by jchiso

I have one of those, and it's terrible. Monoprice sells a model that costs slightly more, but works transparently ...

Meaning the quality doesn't suffer when the HD-PVR records through it?

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

That only works when a majority of their customers feel that way. Vocal minorities tend to get ignored by large corporate entities...

Sadly, I do agree with this. Although, I have to imagine that there are still quite a few people using component and I would expect them to complain if it gets dropped down to 540p. I realize a lot of people don't understand what HD is, but if they currently have 720p/1080i and it drops to 540p, they may actually notice. "Go buy a new TV" doesn't seem like something they're going to want to hear.

[Evil_Attorney]

Originally Posted by jchiso

I have one of those, and it's terrible. Monoprice sells a model that costs slightly more, but works transparently ...

You mean this one?: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

It doesn't seem to do 5.1 audio but will do 1080p. All this HDMI talk makes me wish I had a full height server so I could play around with a Colossus.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Evil_Attorney

You mean this one?: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

It doesn't seem to do 5.1 audio but will do 1080p. All this HDMI talk makes me wish I had a full height server so I could play around with a Colossus.

That rules that device out. Next...

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

Here is one that isn't a switch and a little cheaper. Quality may suffer I suppose. Haven't used one.

Originally Posted by Skirge01

That rules that device out. Next...

Looks like the one I posted is out too. Here are the limitations one reviewer posted:

Product limitation of this unit:
1) The RCA L/R audio works; the optical SPDIF is not fully functional, don't count on it.
2) There is indeed a loss of brightness (darker video), which can be troublesome for DLP TVs and projectors.
3) This unit doesn't support AppleTV (has video, but no audio).
4) When using component video output, the video is shift to the left, not centered on the TV screen.; so for 4:3 video, the off-center issue is very visible; in 16:9 format, a portion of the video on the left side is chopped off.

He went on to recommend the more expensive two input model first mentioned. If I hadn't seen this I might have tried the one I posted don't want to get the more expensive model just to test since I still am able to record from HDMI on all HBO channels with my DTV connected Colossus.

[IVB]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

That only works when a majority of their customers feel that way. Vocal minorities tend to get ignored by large corporate entities...

Actually I respectfully disagree. In the end, we're talking about TV, not the cure for cancer.

If it costs too much for low quality, we could always turn off the TV and read a book. Or stick with the InterWeb.

[davenlr]

Originally Posted by Evil_Attorney

You mean this one?: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

It doesn't seem to do 5.1 audio but will do 1080p. All this HDMI talk makes me wish I had a full height server so I could play around with a Colossus.

I can always run the audio from the optical port. I ordered one of these to try out, just in case DirecTv decides to use HDCP on their basics and downres their analog feed.

I just tried using HDMI to a HDMI input on my TV which is HDCP compliant, while simultaneously routing the component cable to the HDPVR. As long as it had the analog cables plugged in, the HDMI would NOT output anything except 480i. Any other format was causing the TV to display "Incompatible Video Format". Not sure if its a software bug, hardware problem, or intentional, but I dont like the way this is going... So at least Ill have a backup.

[patja]

DirecTV HBOHD via HDMI to my Colossus is still working fine.

I wonder if they put the brakes on the firmware update after the negative reaction and support call spike.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by patja

DirecTV HBOHD via HDMI to my Colossus is still working fine.

I wonder if they put the brakes on the firmware update after the negative reaction and support call spike.

Which model STB do you have? Someone else reported their DTV DVR was still working fine over HDMI.

[patja]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Which model STB do you have? Someone else reported their DTV DVR was still working fine over HDMI.

H21-200

[jchiso]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Meaning the quality doesn't suffer when the HD-PVR records through it? ...

I did not use it to the HD-PVR, just from PC and receiver to projector, but the output was unaffected.

Originally Posted by Evil_Attorney

You mean this one?: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

It doesn't seem to do 5.1 audio but will do 1080p...

I think that's it. I should mention that I don't use it for audio signals ...